Winnipeg police helicopter Air-1 helps nab suspect

27-year-old man in custody after break-in at business near airport

The crew of Air-1, Winnipeg's police helicopter, landed and made an arrest Thursday after a break-in near the airport. (CBC)

Officers on Air-1, Winnipeg's police helicopter, helped nab an 'aggressive man' after a break-in Thursday at a business on Hangar Line Road at Winnipeg's James Richardson International Airport.

Const. Jason Michalyshen said Air-1 has been involved in hundreds of arrests, but this was the first time a member of the crew actually made the arrest.

"The Air-1 crew made a very unique decision," he said. "This is the first occasion since Air-1 has been in operation where it physically landed and made an apprehension of this nature," he said Saturday.

Michalyshen said the suspect had broken into a clothing locker, stole the contents, armed himself with 'an object resembling a baseball bat,' and caused more than $5,000 worth of property damage.

Michalyshen said staff had cornered him, and Air-1 officers arrested him and turned him over to patrol members.